Hmmm ... I don't like it. I was hoping for something similar to the cover from the Episode I novelization. They'd just look better together on the shelf as a complete set ...

Kudama

02-05-02, 04:42 PM

I like the clone armor. They kinda look like stormtroopers with hare lips or a robot version of arse face from The Preacher.

Too bad they put Dawson and Felicity as the central component in the composition. Their lame story will probably take up most of the movie as well. Oh well. It sells I guess.

bishop2knight

02-06-02, 12:58 PM

I think this cover looks great. However, the new 25th annivesary of the original trilogy looks even better.

http://www.starwars.com/eu/news/2001/12/news20011206.html

Josh H

02-07-02, 02:22 PM

I like the art and I had no idea that R.A. Salvatore was writing the book! He's one of my favorite authors. His dark elf series of Forgotten Realms books is one of my faves and his previous Star Wars Novel "Vector Prime" was great as well. He did a great job with the death of chewbacca in it.

I think that the cover art for the novelization and the art of AOTC is incredible. I am especially excited that Salvatore was chosen to write the novelization. He actually worked with Lucas to expand upon the character's back stories for stronger character development. One of my biggest thrills was meeting R.A. Salvatore at the Star Wars Celebration in Denver three years ago. My wife and I actually got to chat with him for like two minutes and I got his autograph. Pretty cool.

greatjedi

02-12-02, 09:55 PM

I never really cared for the character portrait covers for The Phantom Menace book. However, The limited edition of the TPM novelization had a great cover. It came in a slip case rather than a dust jacket, and the cover was black stamped with red foil to form Darth Maul's face. It also included an authentic autograph by Terry Brooks. Only 5000 were made. So cool I had to buy two. At 80 bucks a piece it wasn't the smartest thing I've ever done.

Agent_Gandalf

02-23-02, 05:17 AM

Sweet!!!!

Eric F

02-23-02, 12:13 PM

At least they didn't get Terry Brooks to do the novel this time. I really like TB in general, but his Phantom Menace was horrible.

I suspect it went something like this:

1. Get huge check.
2. Read Script/See movie.
3. Write book.

It shows.

Dragon Fly

02-24-02, 11:54 PM

:up: I'll be checking this one out... I love RA Salvatore! I've never read any of the Starwars books though, so i'm sure i've missed out on some great stuff.

todd

Dragon Fly

02-25-02, 12:00 AM

Ok, So i've only seen the movies, and read the book for Episode 1. I'm curious about some of the books that are out though... can anyone recommend some to me? Preferably in chronological order since i wouldnt know what was going on in later books probably. Thanks!

todd

Josh-da-man

02-25-02, 01:06 AM

Eh. You probably shouldn't bother. At least don't feel like you have to read every single Star Wars novel.

The problem with the Star Wars books -- much like the Star Trek books -- is that they aren't canon. They're essentially derivitive merchandise. George Lucas can contradict anything in any of the books at any time in the movies. It generally only serves to confuse the issues, rather than clarify anything.

The only sci-fi franchise that I'm aware of that doesn't do this would be the Babylon 5 universe. JMS has so far made a pretty good attempt to keep all of the B5 books and comics as canonical as possible.

That said, if you really want to read some Star Wars books, I'd suggest that you give Timothy Zahn's "Heir to the Empire" trilogy a shot. It originally came out about ten years ago when there was a drought of Star Wars material. The books themselves are decent reads, too.

Dragon Fly

02-25-02, 01:17 AM

I have heard these are good books. I read the comic books sometimes too, I don't care if it's solid info on the world that Lucas creates or not. Lucas is too pompous to realize his own ego that he's destroying his creation. I really like the fan fiction stuff, written for the fans to give them what they want.

todd

Blade

02-25-02, 03:14 AM

Timothy Zahn wrote two books (Heir to the Empire & Dark Force Rising) that I liked quite a bit. I believe there's a third book, but I can't remember if I read that one.

But the first two were excellent.

-David

mikehunt

02-25-02, 04:34 PM

I've enjoyed almost all of them, but I refuse to read the "new jedi order" ones that are the current ones.
heard they killed chewie in them

Tom Banjo

02-25-02, 04:59 PM

I recommend:
Timothy Zahn's original trilogy (he wrote another 2-book storyline a year or two ago that I'd stay away from)
Kevin Anderson's Jedi Academy Trilogy

It's all downhill from there. :(

madcougar

02-25-02, 09:46 PM

I would also reccommend the original Zahn triology of Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, and The Last Command. Some of the Anthologies aren't bad either.

AmazingColossalPumaMan

02-25-02, 09:58 PM

I'll have to throw in my support for Zahn's trilogy. Haven't read the other two books he wrote though. Also, I really enjoyed Stackpole's X-wing/Rogue Squadron books (well, of the ones I read, which are the first four).

gusamo

02-26-02, 12:40 PM

I vote for the Zahn Trilogy and for the Han solo Trilogy (A.C. Crispin)

I also have a complete powerpoint presentation that has all the books and authors in chronological order. Is there a place that I can post it on the web where people can download it?

ChefWinduAZ

03-01-02, 02:23 AM

I also recommend "Shadows of the Empire" by Steve Perry. It is an excellent novel that takes place between the events of "The Empire Strikes Back" and "The Return of the Jedi". I really enjoyed this book and it was the basis for the popular N64 video game and a line of action figures from Hasbro.

greatjedi

03-01-02, 08:18 AM

Here is a comprehensive timeline listing the books in chronological order. This list is from the publisher's website. I've read all of them except the last few in the New Jedi Order series (haven't had enough time). Some are better than others, but all are good reads. There is very little that has been contradicted in later books or by Lucas himself, and all of the books are interconnected. What happens in one book may have consequences three books later so they all kind of blend into one big story. If I had to choose a favorite, I'd probably go with Timothy Zahn's trilogy. Here's the link. The timeline runs from the bottom of the page to the top.
http://www.randomhouse.com/delrey/starwars/timeline/timeline.html

Eric F

03-01-02, 05:38 PM

I read quite a few of those, and outside of Zahn's books I started to tire of them fairly quickly.

I always wondered how an author could write a good book when he has to base it upon the work of 5 other authors.

At least with the Star Trek books there are more to chose from, and some of the episode books are quite good (alot more stinkers too). For the most part, the crossovers suck.

Colonel Mustard

05-18-02, 06:34 PM

After just seeing AOTCs and getting my Star Wars kicks, I got curious after reading a message board where people were talking about the book series if any of those books are worth reading for some light summer fun.

Anybody read many of those? I'd probably want to start at the beginning of one of the series, I'd guess.

It had been years since I'd read any Sci-Fi/Fantasy books, but after rereading LoTR last year, I've read a few along the way for changes of pace. Just thinking about maybe looking at some of these if they are good.

Aghama

05-18-02, 06:48 PM

Most people would say that Timothy Zahn's trilogy (Heir of the Empire, Dark Force Rising, The Last Command) are the best of the bunch...and I would tend to agree. Pick them up first, and see what you think.

Blade

05-18-02, 09:05 PM

Originally posted by Colonel Mustard
After just seeing AOTCs and getting my Star Wars kicks, I got curious after reading a message board where people were talking about the book series if any of those books are worth reading for some light summer fun.

Anybody read many of those? I'd probably want to start at the beginning of one of the series, I'd guess.

It had been years since I'd read any Sci-Fi/Fantasy books, but after rereading LoTR last year, I've read a few along the way for changes of pace. Just thinking about maybe looking at some of these if they are good. FYI, I merged your thread with this one. Read the posts in this thread for some good suggestions, though Aghama has already given you the answer most everyone else will. :) But there are a few other suggestions.

Happy reading!

Colonel Mustard

05-18-02, 10:16 PM

Use the force....errr...search!

Thanks.

Kaffe_02

05-19-02, 08:22 PM

Does anyone have a list or an idea of how these books fit chronoligically or can you just pick one up and go from there??

Thanks

Blade

05-19-02, 10:36 PM

Originally posted by greatjedi
Here is a comprehensive timeline listing the books in chronological order....
http://www.randomhouse.com/delrey/starwars/timeline/timeline.html

Mutley Hyde

07-02-02, 12:04 AM

For anyone who may be interested...

I saw a great new hardback today collecting the original novel and the two sequels adaptaions. It looks awesome! It's pretty impressive, being very thick and weighty, which you can't really see by the pic. The cover is also a very slick glossy black, not flat as it looks in the pic. I know you can pick up the paperbacks a dime a dozen at second hand stores, but for anyone who needs a nice "show-off" hardback copy, here ya go. :up:

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0345453395.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
Had a date of July '02, so get out there and get your first printing, if that's your thing ;) . I think this may be the first official hardback collection of the three? Maybe not.

bishop2knight

07-02-02, 06:50 AM

You're right, the book is a beauty. And it is indeed the first hardcover collection of all three. But it's still a $25 book featuring stories I already own 3-4 times. Mmmm, should I buy this new one like I did the VHS versions? Not sure.

Mutley Hyde

07-02-02, 08:37 AM

Dude! ARGH!! I was so busy arguing about bullschitt Gosford Park at HTF that I just missed this auction...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1545806096
-headslap- OY!! :mad:

redskull

07-05-02, 11:07 AM

Does the ROTJ book still say that Uncle Owen is Obi Wan's brother, or did they revise that?

milo bloom

07-12-02, 10:23 PM

I'm curious about any changes myself. A few years back I made sure to get copies of the "Faces" novelizations in case Lucas decided to change the books to match the Special Eds.

I've got them with my Eps 1 and 2 hardcovers now, I wish the spines matched a little better, but I'll live with it.

What I'd really like, years down the road, is a big compiled hardcover edition of all six, with notations and references and the lines numbered (like a Bible). Actually, I'd love to help edit it. But if wishes were horses...

I'd also like to see Alan Dean Foster get some credit for ANH.

Michael Parks

04-15-03, 01:11 AM

Anybody read this series, and have any opinions on it? There's like 15 books, so far.

Could use some recommendations for Star Wars books, in general, too. Never read any, and I'd love to read some good ones. I tried browsing Amazon earlier, but there's well over a thousand entries, and I didn't know where to even begin.

Jason

04-15-03, 09:02 AM

Read Timothy Zahn's Heir to the Empire trilogy. It's the closest thing you'll get to Episodes 7-9. Although parts of it can be thrown right out the window because of events in the prequel trilogy, it's still a good story, and Thrawn is a great villian.

Michael Corvin

04-19-03, 09:08 AM

Agreed with Jason, and I'm sure many others. I have read about 95% of the expanded universe books and these 3 are by far the best by a long shot. After these you can pick up Zahn's other two books, semi-sequels that take place years later Spectre of the Past, and Vision of the Future. But really to read any other book first doesn't even make sense because every other author pretty much built on what Zahn created. Kevin J. Anderson's trilogy is probably next in line. And lastly, I, Jedi is a good read that focuses on 1 character that is pretty big in NJO.

As for New Jedi Order don't read until until after Zahn's trilogy at least and then maybe Anderson's trilogy. There are just so many new characters between these 7 books that play big roles in the NJO it wouln't be the same not knowing where they came from. Just not the same impact.

As for NJO, it is a good read so far. I think it has been dragging about the last 5 books or so. I mean I figured out where they were taking the plot about 6 or 7 books ago, and they are just now getting there. A lot of filler. On the whole pretty good. Nowhere near the same as Zahn's trilogy though.

Start with Heir to the Empire... and enjoy!

I might have to read that again, I haven't picked it up in a couple of years.

Michael Parks

04-19-03, 01:03 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. I went ahead and picked up the 5 Zahn books and all 15 NJO books. I grabbed the two Han Solo trilogies, too, on a whim. They probably suck, but, oh well.

The Anderson trilogy is the Jedi Academy one, right? The book store only had the last two in that series, so I passed on it. I'll check Ebay or Amazon for it now.

How about the X-Wing and Young Jedi Knights stuff?

Eric F

04-20-03, 01:32 PM

I think I got through 8 of them and started to tire of it.

It's beginning to become too much like the Star Trek series- just cranking them out with no real standard, some of them are great, some just OK, and some suck.

Jason

04-20-03, 09:15 PM

I enjoyed the first several Rogue Squadron books too. They developed a whole new group of characters, which helps a lot. The biggest flaw with a lot of these EU books is they always try to use every character from the OT. They strain credibility always adding a side story for Lando (like he has to be in everything) and they never know what to do with Chewie (since he doesn't speak Basic). How often can he go home on vacation or keep the twins safe at an undisclosed secure location?

silentbob007

04-24-03, 04:49 PM

Like everyone else has said, the Zahn books are awesome. I have also enjoyed NJO so far, although there were a couple books in there that weren't too good. I believe this series is ending in November, so if you start now, you won't have to worry about waiting book to book.

Michael Corvin

05-04-03, 07:17 AM

I doubt it silentbob. There are supposed to be 20-30 books in the series and they are only on 17.

Is Zahn doing the last part of the series?

madcougar

05-04-03, 10:39 PM

Originally posted by Michael Corvin
I doubt it silentbob. There are supposed to be 20-30 books in the series and they are only on 17.

Is Zahn doing the last part of the series?

Nope. The New Jedi Order: The Unifying Force will be by James Luceno and as Silentbob said, it will be the final book of the series and it will be out in November. It will be the 19th book of the series if I'm not mistaken.

I remember reading where Lucasfilm was disappointed with sales and blamed the fact the story line was so dark on it. An entire year of stories was shaved off and they asked that the publisher begin writing non-NJO books with the original characters. Hence, Tatooine Ghost.

Michael Corvin

05-04-03, 11:37 PM

Hmm. I kinda liked the series. I liked it dark. Every book up until that point was happy go lucky. Nothing ever happened. Good guys ALWAYS prevailed. It kinda got stale. And like mentioned above, using every character got very old. The Lando example is perfect. He only needs to pop up every few books, not every one.

I hadn't picked up any of the one-offs like TG. Are they any good?

bishop2knight

05-05-03, 08:23 AM

If sales are down, you can blame the fact that the series was/is just too long. It's spanned 3-4 years, and 19 novels. That's crazy. If Star Wars fans read other books, how do they shell out the cash every other month for a Star Wars book?

A series should last no more than 2 years and maybe 5 books max. At least, in the Star Wars universe.

With that said, I must admit that I've purchased all of the NJO books and I am currently reading no. 12.

uncle markie

05-05-03, 05:48 PM

I'm a big Star Wars Expanded Universe fan, I have been buying all of the novels since Splinter of the Minds Eye came out in '78.

In my my opinion, the New Jedi order is the weakest run in Star Wars novels. It got off to a nice start, shook things up a bit, but it has remained too dark for too long.

The best place to start with the EU is definitely the Zahn books starting with Heir to the Empire. Follow that with the Jedi Academy Trilogy by Kevin Anderson, I found these books captured much of the humor present in the Star Wars trilogy.

The X-Wing series are also excellent especially those penned by Aaron Allston.

Enjoy

Josh H

05-05-03, 08:51 PM

I read the first 7 or 8 NJO books, and haven't had the time or desire to get caught up again. I'll probably read the rest of them sometime, but I just don't have time now with grad school.

Plus I like the books that focus on the old characters better than the new ones in most cases.

As others have said, the 5 Zahn books and I, Jedi, are easily my favorites.

Michael Corvin

05-07-03, 08:25 AM

So I am 100+ pages into Destiny's Way and I can already tell that they are trying to wrap it up fast because:

After 15 books Vergere has been vague about everything, hasn't really given Jacen a clue about anything, then all of a sudden in DW, she has a 10 page chapter just laying it all out for him. What is that all about?

I like where they were/are going with the series but it did take too long to get there I realized it about the 4th book:

demolishing the Republic so that there is a rebellion that prevails. Much like the rebellion over the Empire in the movies.

So it seems like they were going to take 15 books to get to that point and then 15 to resolve it. So now they have 5 to resolve it? I think it will seem rushed at this point.

madcougar

05-11-03, 10:28 PM

I'm a few books behind... so

Does it look like Anakin might be resurrected? I can't remember his teacher's name, but the guy (or being as it was an alien if I recall) said he and that girl he was sweet on would do something spectacular one day. Then he goes and dies.

Michael Corvin

05-31-03, 10:57 PM

So I just finished DW. What a great book. This is the way the whole series should have been. Fast paced and full of exposition.

Although after 14 books of a beat down on the New Republic it is a shame that they have to rush to finish the series. It is basically this book and the last one to tie it all up(being that they wanted you to be able to just read the HC to get the whole story, the paperbacks were just like bonus little adventures).
The book felt very rushed compared to the rest of the series, but it was a welcome change.

for example:
Vergere finally opening up and revealing everything, totally unlike the character they have built up the first 14 books. Then by the end of the book EVERYONE has a solution to beat the Vong. It was good to see Ackbar's final(?) battle turned out the way it should.

Is it just me or does it seem like Kyp and Jaina have some potential chemistry? What is the age difference there?

Anyway, just started book 16.

Jadow

06-16-03, 07:32 PM

uhh, like Robert Jordan's books, the new Jedi Order just goes on and on and on and on......

I totally lost interest. I think they were all downhill after the first one.

JestersTear

06-16-03, 09:15 PM

Originally posted by Michael Parks
Anybody read this series, and have any opinions on it? There's like 15 books, so far.

Could use some recommendations for Star Wars books, in general, too. Never read any, and I'd love to read some good ones. I tried browsing Amazon earlier, but there's well over a thousand entries, and I didn't know where to even begin.

Rogue Squadron and Young Jedi Knights will fill you in on some background, but nothing you can't figure out for yourself (I speak from experience there) :-)

As others have said, the necessary books to read first are:
All 5 Zahn books
Kevin Anderson's Jedi Academy Trilogy
The Correllian Trilogy

The New Rebellion is good, but not necessary. Most of the other books pre NJO are tedious.

New Jedi Order itself, however, is great. Especially Bob Salvatore's book that kicks it all off. The Jedi finally have someone that can and is beating the crap out of them. People are getting killed, and there's a sense of danger that has disrupted the status quo which has dominated the Star Wars universe for far too long.

Michael Corvin

06-16-03, 09:44 PM

I think the way del rey envisioned the hardcovers sums it up best. You can enjoy the NJO series just by reading the hc novels. Some of the paperbacks are non-essential side quests and the like.

theneobez

06-20-03, 10:54 AM

Like what the others said, the Zahn books are excellent. They are some of my favorite books I have read personally. . .also Shadow of the Empire (which takes place in between Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi) is an excellent read, I go back to read it every 2 years or so, and it fails to disappoint. The Truce at Bakura (I think that's the title, been a while) is pretty good as well. The Rogue Squadron books are prett good, recommended as well. I've always stayed away from the New Jedi Order, just seems very un essential to the experience.

mewmartigan

06-21-03, 07:39 PM

I like the New Jedi Order series, but I also think it is starting to drag....so I'm glad its coming to a close. I look forward to new books set in an earlier time period i.e. Tatooine Ghost, which I have, but have not yet read.

I also agree that the initial Zahn trilogy that started it all is one of the best. Check that out first.

REL77

06-02-05, 05:41 PM

Looking to read some SW books. Wondering, where do I begin? What are considered the best ones to read, preferably with the same charectors from the OT or NT (New Trilogy). Thanks so much.

Mhepburn20

06-02-05, 06:03 PM

Timothy Zhan's Heir to the Empire

story

06-02-05, 06:27 PM

Timothy Zahn's trilogy, Kevin J. Anderson's first trilogy, Shadow of the Empire, Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina, Tales of the Bounty Hunters, Splinter in the Mind's Eye, and then I would stop.

bishop2knight

06-03-05, 07:53 AM

Check out the Star Wars literature forum over at theforce.net. It'll answer everything you need.

http://boards.theforce.net/board.asp?brd=10003

silentbob007

06-03-05, 09:12 AM

I'd definately read Zahn's Trilogy: Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, and The Last Command. Those are the first EU books I ever read, and I blazed through them (luckily I didn't have to wait as Last Command had just come out in hardback at the time). These stories revolve around the characters from the OT and are pretty entertaining.

REL77

06-03-05, 09:16 AM

I'd definately read Zahn's Trilogy: Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, and The Last Command.

Is this the correct order as well to read?

Nesbit

06-03-05, 09:55 AM

Yes.

GuessWho

06-03-05, 10:04 AM

Agreed on Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, and The Last Command

Best to stop there, but Shadows of the Empire is interesting to see what happened between TESB and ROTJ

bishop2knight

06-03-05, 11:11 AM

Isn't there another thread around here on Star Wars books? :D

benedict

06-03-05, 11:53 AM

Isn't there another thread around here on Star Wars books? :D.... ;)

Ranger

02-14-08, 03:58 PM

*blows dust off*

I had read the Thrawn trilogy around the holidays and it was pretty good.

I just finished reading Zahn's new book Allegiance. It was really good. Anyone read it or have any questions about it?

Any good new books to try out?

bishop2knight

02-18-08, 12:26 PM

I thought Alleigiance was pretty good. So was Death Star. Sure, these books are by the numbers, but they're good diversions. I've been buying the new series of books (Legacy of the Force, I think) but I won't dive in until they're all released.

Gilgamesh1082

02-19-08, 04:52 PM

I thought Alleigiance was pretty good. So was Death Star. Sure, these books are by the numbers, but they're good diversions. I've been buying the new series of books (Legacy of the Force, I think) but I won't dive in until they're all released.

Its been hit or miss so far, but has more hits than misses. Legacy of the Force hasn't really disappointed in any one book. And there are definitely some parts where the author slugs you in the gut. I actually skipped ahead several chapters in a few of the books during some intense scenes, just to know what actually happened in those intense scenes. Hope I was vague enough on that.

bishop2knight

02-19-08, 06:32 PM

Its been hit or miss so far, but has more hits than misses. Legacy of the Force hasn't really disappointed in any one book. And there are definitely some parts where the author slugs you in the gut. I actually skipped ahead several chapters in a few of the books during some intense scenes, just to know what actually happened in those intense scenes. Hope I was vague enough on that.

:lol: That works.

I'm just finding that because I'm not so totally into the Star Wars EU, I'm not familiar with all the characters. Or rather, I don't remember them from one book to the next. With New Jedi Order and now Legacy, it's hard for me to keep everyone straight let alone know what alien species the person is.

Rex Power Colt-Robot Man

03-16-08, 06:17 PM

I don't really have strong feelings about most of the EU books, aside from one. Do not,I repeat do not read Crystal Star. Horrible book. If you see it, run away for it will make you impotent and sterile.

Snowmaker

03-16-08, 06:44 PM

I don't really have strong feelings about most of the EU books, aside from one. Do not,I repeat do not read Crystal Star. Horrible book. If you see it, run away for it will make you impotent and sterile.

I read that one years ago, but could not tell you what it was even about.

I got the last two Zahn books 2 Christmases ago and still have not read them.

Anubis2005X

03-16-08, 06:47 PM

I'm reading through Legacy of the Force. Only on Book 2, but enjoying it so far...

Rex Power Colt-Robot Man

03-17-08, 02:46 PM

I read that one years ago, but could not tell you what it was even about.

I got the last two Zahn books 2 Christmases ago and still have not read them.

Im with ya there. Have those sitting on a shelf somewhere, still unread. Guess I just fell out of it.

Gilgamesh1082

03-17-08, 05:50 PM

The EU is usually something I go back to when all other books I'm into have been read and reread. At some point in the past, I lived for the Star Wars books, save for The Crystal Star. I agree 100%, that book is Lord Foul's Bane bad. And much like Snowmaker, my mind has fortunately raised a protective barrier around my memories of that book to where I no longer recall anything in it. But I digress. Usually I wait til they finish the series up then read them, but I loved the NJO series for all the new characters that popped up and the ones that died. I had my Outlook calender set to remind me every month one of those was supposed to pop up. Other than that, the only books on the must read list for any Star Wars fan remains anything written by Zahn.

Ranger

04-24-08, 01:05 PM

Bump because book #5 "Sacrifice" of the Legacy of the Force series will be out on paperback on Tues. I'm midway through book #4 "Exile." I think the series has been pretty good so far. Last book #9 "Invincible" will be out May 13 in hardcover, paperback about a year away.

I finished reading all the Zahn books a while back, I hesitated to read Outbound Flight but it was pretty good, a must-read for Thrawn fans. Survivor's Quest goes along nicely with it, too. I thought the Thrawn duology was good.

Kicker_of_Elves

04-24-08, 02:12 PM

The new Darth Bane book ("Rule of Two") is pretty good. I got burned out on reading the PT/OT books so this ones right up my alley.

Flynn

05-25-08, 04:50 PM

I also like the Darth Bane storyline. Just finished reading "Invincible" (the final episode of the Legacy of the Force series) and was very satisfied with the nine-book series. It's great to be able to go back and re-live these characters in new and refreshing ways...

Ranger

07-23-10, 01:41 PM

And another bump since some Star Wars chatter came up in the HD forum.

Interest in the EU had faded in the last two years, but I'm still reading something now and then. DO plan to give the X-Wings books a try someday.
Last few I read:
Death Star - good.
Jedi Academy Trilogy - good.
First two Lost Tribe of Sith ebooks: not good.
Dark Nest Trilogy: eh.

Looking back at the LOTF series, it seems to be a disappointment. Haven't read the new Fate of the Jedi series, but people don't seem too happy with it so far. New comics look interesting.

Anubis2005X

07-23-10, 01:53 PM

And another bump since some Star Wars chatter came up in the HD forum.

Interest in the EU had faded in the last two years, but I'm still reading something now and then. DO plan to give the X-Wings books a try someday.
Last few I read:
Death Star - good.
Jedi Academy Trilogy - good.
First two Lost Tribe of Sith ebooks: not good.
Dark Nest Trilogy: eh.

Looking back at the LOTF series, it seems to be a disappointment. Haven't read the new Fate of the Jedi series, but people don't seem too happy with it so far. New comics look interesting.

I highly recommend the X-Wing series. I loved it. I, Jedi is also one of my favs. I thought LOTF was just okay, and was kind of pissed with the events that unfolded. I haven't started up Fate of the Jedi yet, but plan to at some point.

Quack

06-24-11, 10:57 AM

http://starwars.com/vault/books/star_wars_the_blueprints/index.html

Looks pretty cool besides the price tag. :P

Ranger

06-28-11, 10:53 PM

Yeah, $500 is a lot.

Today was the day a bunch of SW books went digital like the other thread (http://forum.dvdtalk.com/book-talk/590915-star-war-ebook-catalog-june-28-a.html) said.

I am pretty excited to see how many books were added. Every title from Del Rey and Bantam, both are subsidiaries of Random House.

Amazon SW kindle (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=star%20wars#/ref=sr_pg_1?rh=n%3A133140011%2Ck%3Astar+wars%2Cp_n_date%3A1249100011&bbn=133140011&keywords=star+wars&ie=UTF8&qid=1309318426) - amazon is still a bit flaky so not all books were showing up in a search so this shows SW books added in last 30 days.

Looks like everything is there except the JJK and YJK which were published by Boulevard/Berkley Jam.

rmorgan

06-29-11, 10:08 PM

Yeah, $500 is a lot.

Today was the day a bunch of SW books went digital like the other thread (http://forum.dvdtalk.com/book-talk/590915-star-war-ebook-catalog-june-28-a.html) said.

I am pretty excited to see how many books were added. Every title from Del Rey and Bantam, both are subsidiaries of Random House.

Amazon SW kindle (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=star%20wars#/ref=sr_pg_1?rh=n%3A133140011%2Ck%3Astar+wars%2Cp_n_date%3A1249100011&bbn=133140011&keywords=star+wars&ie=UTF8&qid=1309318426) - amazon is still a bit flaky so not all books were showing up in a search so this shows SW books added in last 30 days.

Looks like everything is there except the JJK and YJK which were published by Boulevard/Berkley Jam.

Thanks for the reminder. Not too happy with the prices, but I jumped on the collection of Brian Daley's Han Solo books for $8. I read those when I was a kid, checking each one out from the library. Hope they're as fun as I remember.

Quack

07-15-11, 10:29 AM

First Look: Darth Plagueis Novel

http://www.starwars.com/vault/books/darthplagueis/plagueis_img.jpg

In Revenge of the Sith, while attending a ballet, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine casually mentions to Anakin Skywalker the tale of Darth Plagueis. Plagueis was a Sith Lord so wise and powerful, that he could even manipulate the Force to create life or stop death in others. Ironically, such a powerful being could not prevent his own death, for in the way of the Sith, Plagueis was killed in his sleep by his apprentice.

Palpatine told the captivating tale to start certain wheels spinning in the Chosen One's head. Ever since then, Star Wars fans have been clamoring to know more about Plagueis. Author James Luceno delves into the secrets of the dark side to find out more about Darth Sidious and Darth Plagueis in a new hardcover novel, Star Wars: Darth Plagueis, due out this winter.

Rex Power Colt-Robot Man

01-17-12, 09:33 PM

Really? Fans were "clamoring" for this story?

"Please feed us more pablum. nom nom nom"

Quack

01-17-12, 11:39 PM

Did you read it?

Bandit03

01-18-12, 08:23 AM

I haven't read a Star Wars book in years but I'm kinda interested in the Darth Plagueis novel. That section in Revenge of the Sith where Palpatine mentioned Plagueis always interested me and this is the first I've heard of the book...gonna add it to my reading list.

mikehunt

01-19-12, 10:06 PM

Darth Plagueis will be coming to me eventually from sfbc
probably take me a while to read it, as I have a back log of books and magazines. I haven't been reading much lately

Ranger

01-26-12, 10:41 PM

First 50 pages of Plagueis.
http://sf-fantasy.suvudu.com/2012/01/del-rey-spectra-50-page-fridays-james-luceno.html

Think I will skip Plagueis, though I am interested in the X-Wing Mercy Kill book (out on HC and ebook August 2012).
http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111207233131/starwars/images/thumb/e/ed/Mercykillcover.jpg/250px-Mercykillcover.jpg

mikehunt

01-27-12, 08:04 PM

a new X-Wing book
awesome

rmorgan

01-27-12, 09:51 PM

a new X-Wing book
awesome

If it didn't have "X-Wing" in the title, I doubt I would bother. I gave up on the Fate of the Jedi series, Revan was horrible, and, about 100 pages in, Darth Plageus is not any better. SW books have always been my guilty pleasure, and for a long, long time, I bought and read every one. But, almost everything since the end of the New Jedi Order has been terrible, including titles from normally reliable writers. I'll give this new X-Wing a shot, but I'm pretty much done at this point.

mikehunt

01-29-12, 02:36 AM

If it didn't have "X-Wing" in the title, I doubt I would bother. I gave up on the Fate of the Jedi series, Revan was horrible, and, about 100 pages in, Darth Plageus is not any better. SW books have always been my guilty pleasure, and for a long, long time, I bought and read every one. But, almost everything since the end of the New Jedi Order has been terrible, including titles from normally reliable writers. I'll give this new X-Wing a shot, but I'm pretty much done at this point.

I used to buy all the books as they came out
not sure exactly when I stopped but it was around the new jedi order time frame. Was there a break of a few years with the books?
some of what I read about happening in the new jedi order and later books kept me from bothering with them although I have read a few of the books since the prequels including Dark Lord and Allegiance. My brother gave me the 3-1 edition of Labyrinth of Evil, ROTS and Dark Lord. I'm going to read ROTS and then read Darth Plageus as it came this week

Part of my problem is that I don't read books as much as I used to.I still have a few of S. M. Stirling's emberverse books to finish.
In high school and college I used to go through books left and right even with school work to do, and that was the prime SW EU novel time frame IMO

milo bloom

02-01-12, 10:08 AM

I haven't kept up in years and I've considered drastically downsizing my novel collection, but one thing I always wanted to read was Luke and Leia (finally) discovering info about their parents. Are there maybe a select few novels that deal with this?

tks

Mike86

02-01-12, 10:40 AM

I'm not the hugest Star Wars fan anymore, however I have been kind of curious to read Shadows of the Empire. I know it's been out for a long time already but just wondering is it actually worth picking up and reading or not so much?

Ranger

02-01-12, 01:39 PM

re: Leia and Luke's parents: I think the closest would be Leia in Tatooine Ghost and Luke in The Dark Nest Trilogy. It's just brief stuff, and I wouldn't really recommend either.

re: Shadows of the Empire: Sure, go for it. It has some cringe moments with Leia, but the rest is quite enjoyable.

I really liked the Corellian Trilogy and recommend it.

milo bloom

02-02-12, 02:48 PM

Thanks Ranger. I've read Ghost, and I might try to find the Dark Nest books at the library.

Also a fan of Shadows, would love to see it as an animated feature.

resinrats

02-06-12, 01:00 AM

I seem to remember the stuff in Dark Nest was so minor it could have not even been there and the plot wouldn't have changed a bit. More of an after thought.

I always wanted a novel that directly dealt with Luke & Leia finding out about their parents. Set it between other novels so they aren't in their 60's. Have them go to Naboo & meet relatives.

One thing have noticed is that there still seems to be the OT & PT split in the novels. They are still written as ep4-6 are separate from 1-3. Tatooine Ghost probably is one of the few that did mix elements of both trilogies together. More mixing is needed. How about a novel for the OT characters where someone has found a huge army of the Separetists technology. See how Han & Luke deal with Battle Droids & stuff from the Clone Wars. Now that all 6 movies are out, no reason they can't use elements of the whole saga.

milo bloom

02-09-12, 10:26 AM

I seem to remember the stuff in Dark Nest was so minor it could have not even been there and the plot wouldn't have changed a bit. More of an after thought.

I always wanted a novel that directly dealt with Luke & Leia finding out about their parents. Set it between other novels so they aren't in their 60's. Have them go to Naboo & meet relatives.

One thing have noticed is that there still seems to be the OT & PT split in the novels. They are still written as ep4-6 are separate from 1-3. Tatooine Ghost probably is one of the few that did mix elements of both trilogies together. More mixing is needed. How about a novel for the OT characters where someone has found a huge army of the Separetists technology. See how Han & Luke deal with Battle Droids & stuff from the Clone Wars. Now that all 6 movies are out, no reason they can't use elements of the whole saga.

That might actually get me back into SW novels. There's a few Trek novels that have done that and I love having such a big sandbox for authors to play in like that.

Ranger

02-09-12, 12:29 PM

R.A. Salvatore (Vector Prime author) said the LFL editors made him do that to Chewie, calls it "only thing I've ever regretted.'
http://www.theforce.net/latestnews/story/In_QA_Vector_Prime_Author_Talks_Chewie_143570.asp
I think the NJO worked out fine, though.

milo bloom

02-09-12, 12:49 PM

Something had to be done about the character shield. As bad as Kirk's death was handled in Generations, it still meant that he was mortal. The Star Wars books were kinda repetitive with regards to how nobody ever really got hurt.

Quack

02-10-12, 12:01 AM

I'm a ways behind chronologically speaking...but has anyone heard of plans for after the FOTJ? Without spoiling anything that is. :)

I just wonder how far they'll continue to go.

Josh-da-man

02-10-12, 12:21 AM

I'm a ways behind chronologically speaking...but has anyone heard of plans for after the FOTJ? Without spoiling anything that is. :)

I just wonder how far they'll continue to go.

Dark Horse did a comic series called "Legacy" that was set 100 years after the Battle of Yavin. So they have about sixty years left to play with.

resinrats

02-10-12, 08:32 PM

Something had to be done about the character shield. As bad as Kirk's death was handled in Generations, it still meant that he was mortal. The Star Wars books were kinda repetitive with regards to how nobody ever really got hurt.

There has been death in the Star Wars books for some well established characters. Chewbacca being the most notable. Other deaths include Mara Jade, two of Han/Leia's kids, General Madine (was in ROTJ), Chancellor Valorum, Admiral Paellian. Sure the main 3 are still fine but how many book series based on TV/movies really kill off the main characters? I know Kirk came back in the books.

Josh-da-man

02-10-12, 10:06 PM

There has been death in the Star Wars books for some well established characters. Chewbacca being the most notable. Other deaths include Mara Jade, two of Han/Leia's kids, General Madine (was in ROTJ), Chancellor Valorum, Admiral Paellian. Sure the main 3 are still fine but how many book series based on TV/movies really kill off the main characters? I know Kirk came back in the books.

In the Buffy the Vampire Slayer season eight comics Giles was killed off.

Been out of the Star Wars books since reading the Darth Bane one, which I found quite intriguing.

Has there been anything written about Obi-Wan that takes place during the time between III and IV? That's a period of his life I am interested in, just to see what he did to pass the time on Tatooine. I know he appeared briefly in Dark Lord, but that didn't reveal much.

edit: almost finished now
it might be titled Darth Plagueis but it's as much or more about the rise of Palpetine/Sidious as it is about Plagueis

Quack

03-03-12, 09:31 PM

Read the first Darth Bane book in a couple days, another great book, easy read, just starting Rule of Two now.

resinrats

03-04-12, 08:36 PM

Been out of the Star Wars books since reading the Darth Bane one, which I found quite intriguing.

Has there been anything written about Obi-Wan that takes place during the time between III and IV? That's a period of his life I am interested in, just to see what he did to pass the time on Tatooine. I know he appeared briefly in Dark Lord, but that didn't reveal much.

There are some junior novels about Obi during this time.

Ranger

03-22-12, 10:20 PM

http://www.theforce.net/books/2012/scoundrelscover.jpg
Nice cover.

December 26, 2012.

Xander

03-23-12, 08:46 AM

Hmm. I do like Zahn's writing. Might have to pick that one up when it hits paperback...

resinrats

03-24-12, 02:16 AM

What's with Lando in that outfit and not the movie one. Han's in his.

mewmartigan

03-25-12, 08:20 PM

It's apparently a heist novel set between Episodes IV and V.

Sounds great, love the Zahn Star Wars stuff.

mikehunt

04-04-12, 12:49 PM

hmm
hadn't it been a while since Han and Lando had seen each other in ESB? I had the impression it had been years
not sure how a novel taken place between SW and ESB could have them together
probably should have made it be pre SW

Ranger

10-02-12, 10:37 AM

OK, I read a whole bunch of EU books over the spring and summer.

Fate of the Jedi
Some things here I hated but the new villains were interesting. Overall, it was better than Legacy of the Force but that's not saying much.

Darth Plagueis
Very heavy on prequel era politics but still interesting to read about Palpatine's rise to power.

Choices of One
I liked this a lot but I also did like Allegiance.

X-Wing Mercy Kill
Was a bit disappointed with this. not even that much X-wing action.

Darth Bane Trilogy
I liked this but didn't love it.

Revan
The ending just pissed me off. I hope the sequel (Annihilation) makes up for it like oh that was just a dream/vision.

Death Troopers
Wow. This book is quite violent but awesome.

Red Harvest
Death Troopers prequel. Disappointing. It could have been much better, but wasn't that bad either.

Shadow Games
Very enjoyable. Hope there'll be more Dash books.

Shadows of Mindor
Terrible.

mikehunt

02-10-13, 07:25 PM

I'm about 100 pages into Scoundrels
liking it so far

mewmartigan

02-11-13, 05:28 AM

I recently finished Scoundrels and thought it was great.

I like the Zahn novels because they provide a good, contained story and don't get bogged down to much in the giant Expanded Universe.

mikehunt, I think he did a good job with Scoundrels in leading into ESB where there is some tension between Hand and Lando.

With regards to Legacy of the Force/Fate of the Jedi,

I wonder how Zahn felt about them killing off Mara Jade? and by her own son no less. He created her and she features prominently in every one of his books except Scoundrels.

lamphorn

02-18-13, 06:48 PM

What's with Lando in that outfit and not the movie one. Han's in his.

Hm. That's a strange sort of NAZI-ish outfit he's got on.

moviefan2k4

02-20-13, 06:21 AM

I recently made a "test video" for my new webcam, showing off my signed books from Timothy Zahn. What do you think?

^ I think you need to know where the camera's field of vision is. Half the time when you are showing off a book, half of it is off camera. Also look towards the camera. You are looking off to the side. Notes or a screen? Set the camera next to that if you need to look at it so you'd be looking in the general direction of the camera.

moviefan2k4

02-25-13, 01:29 AM

My webcam is placed on the top of my monitor. I was looking at the transmission being done in Windows Movie Maker. If I placed the book directly in front of the camera, I wouldn't be able to see anything myself. I wanted to make sure all the signatures were being seen clearly while I was recording.

Cusm

04-25-13, 10:33 PM

Just finished the Republic Commando series, and I loved them. Nice to see a series covering the clones and just a mention of any of the main characters. It sucks she could not finish the series. I liked her version of Mandolor much better than the Clone Wars version. I really want a new version of the game now.

Quack

05-10-13, 01:01 PM

Coming out in August.

http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18n7lt18q5n4pjpg/ku-xlarge.jpg

STAR WARS: KENOBI by John Jackson Miller

Tatooine—a harsh desert world where farmers toil in the heat of two suns while trying to protect themselves and their loved ones from the marauding Tusken Raiders. A backwater planet on the edge of civilized space. And an unlikely place to find a Jedi Master in hiding, or an orphaned infant boy on whose tiny shoulders rests the future of a galaxy.

Known to locals only as “Ben,” the bearded and robed offworlder is an enigmatic stranger who keeps to himself, shares nothing of his past, and goes to great pains to remain an outsider. But as tensions escalate between the farmers and a tribe of Sand People led by a ruthless war chief, Ben finds himself drawn into the fight, endangering the very mission that brought him to Tatooine.

Ben—Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, hero of the Clone Wars, traitor to the Empire, and protector of the galaxy’s last hope—can no more turn his back on evil than he can reject his Jedi training. And when blood is unjustly spilled, innocent lives threatened, and a ruthless opponent unmasked, Ben has no choice but to call on the wisdom of the Jedi—and the formidable power of the Force—in his never-ending fight for justice.

Dr. DVD

05-28-13, 07:23 PM

Coming out in August.

http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18n7lt18q5n4pjpg/ku-xlarge.jpg

Looks exactly like the book I've been waiting for! :D

milo bloom

06-06-13, 11:02 AM

I recently found a "junior" novel at a thrift store that was a collection of tales about ObiWan, starting during The Phantom Menace and jumping forward through the movies, with a bit about his time on Tattooine. I've only skimmed it, but it looks like it touches on this same kind of topic. I'll have to check the author when I get home to see if this is an expansion of that.

taffer

06-06-13, 11:29 AM

I recently found a "junior" novel at a thrift store that was a collection of tales about ObiWan, starting during The Phantom Menace and jumping forward through the movies, with a bit about his time on Tattooine. I've only skimmed it, but it looks like it touches on this same kind of topic. I'll have to check the author when I get home to see if this is an expansion of that.

There were two junior series during the prequel era.

The first was Jedi Apprentice which was set before TPM and featured Obi-Wan as a kid training under Qui-Gon. The second was Jedi Quest which was set between TPM and AOTC and featured Anakin training under Obi-Wan. Both were a series of 10-12 junior books written by Jude Watson.

There was also a junior book series called Young Jedi Knights which was written by Kevin J Anderson in the mid 1990s and featured the kids of Han and Leia training as Jedi in Luke's academy.

milo bloom

06-07-13, 10:21 AM

There were two junior series during the prequel era.

The first was Jedi Apprentice which was set before TPM and featured Obi-Wan as a kid training under Qui-Gon. The second was Jedi Quest which was set between TPM and AOTC and featured Anakin training under Obi-Wan. Both were a series of 10-12 junior books written by Jude Watson.

There was also a junior book series called Young Jedi Knights which was written by Kevin J Anderson in the mid 1990s and featured the kids of Han and Leia training as Jedi in Luke's academy.

We have some of those two, but it doesn't seem to be a part of either series. It's like a oneshot book. I forgot to check last night who the author was, I'll try to remember tonight.

Quack

06-09-13, 08:06 PM

Just finished Scoundrels and really liked it.

Honestly was surprised with the ending with Boba Fett being Eanjer. Makes me want to re-read it again knowing he's in disguise the entire time for a bounty.

milo bloom

06-09-13, 09:30 PM

This Obi Wan book is apparently a best of. It's called The Life and Legend of Obi Wan Kenobi by Ryder Windham. It has excerpts from several different books.

I'll definitely want to check out the new one then.

moviefan2k4

06-10-13, 05:33 AM

I have three of James Luceno's books as well, but haven't read them yet (really behind on focusing)...

Labyrinth of Evil
Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader
Darth Plagueis

The upcoming Kenobi book sounds exciting, too.

grundle

06-16-13, 10:28 AM

I seem to remember the stuff in Dark Nest was so minor it could have not even been there and the plot wouldn't have changed a bit. More of an after thought.

All three Dark Nest books were released very soon after the movie Revenge of the Sith. I think the books had been written earlier, and the stuff with R2-D2 showing the recordings of Anakin and Padme was added later on.

.

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Empire_and_Rebellion:_Razor%27s_Edge

Empire and Rebellion: Razor's Edge

Empire and Rebellion: Razor's Edge is an upcoming novel focusing on Princess Leia, written by Martha Wells, which is part of the upcoming Empire and Rebellion series. The storyline will take place sometime during the Rebellion era following Princess Leia Organa. The novel is set to be released on October 1, 2013.

I liked Scoundrels and the Winner lose all short story. I skipped Dawn of the Jedi Into the Void. I thought the Crucible preview was ok, I will probably get the book when it comes out. I haven't heard much about the new Sword of the Jedi series so I'm not sure if it'll even happen with Episode VII coming up.

Really? I just started it this week, and I haven't been enjoying it at all. I am about 100 pages into it, and there's only been one action scene. The one where Plagueis stows away on a pirate ship and then kills all the pirates. The rest of it has been all the same mundane political crap that dragged down The Phantom Menace. I want to see Plagueis run around as a Sith Lord kicking ass. I don't care to see so much of his time as a member of the Banking Clan.